GEF/GCF Africa Adaptation Project Specialist - Consultant

Result of ServiceInternalize new approved projects, respond to executing partner queries, review executing partner progress and technical reports, provide adaptive management and monitor projects within UNEP's portfolio of adaptation projects in Francophone Africa. Work LocationThis consultancy is home based with regular missions to francophone African countries Expected duration12 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. This post is located within UNEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Unit (CCAU) in the Adaptation and Resilience Branch in the Climate Change Division. The overall objective of UNEP's Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Members States and Partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; supports action so that countries progress on decarbonization, dematerialization, and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations, and needs; and fosters transparency in reporting. The Project Specialist will report to the Head of the Climate Change Adaptation Unit in Climate Change Division. The Project Specialist is required to manage part of UNEP's portfolio of GEF and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Francophone Africa. Specific tasks and responsibilities The consultant will undertake the following duties, in close collaboration and coordination with designated Project Management Assistants and Finance Assistants: Task 1: Project management • Guide the Programme Management Assistants to develop draft legal agreements for new projects and project extensions; • Guide the Programme Management Assistants to prepare documents for UNEP project internalization and revision processes, and provide inputs to ensure completed UNEP clearance and approval processes; • Maintain regular communication with Project Management Units (PMUs) at the Executing Agencies, to oversee project implementation progress, provide guidance, identify challenges and initiate corrective actions as needed; • Review and clear key technical deliverables, and initiate the processing of associated consultancy payments; • Participate in Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings; • Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs for projects and periodically update them. Request the Executing Agencies to prepare annual work plans and update procurement plans, providing inputs to finalize them; • In close collaboration with the Programme Management Assistants, Finance Assistants and Fund Management Officer, review and clear expenditure reports, prepare budget revisions and cash advances; • Provide inputs for facilitating the technical and financial closure of projects; • Travel to undertake project monitoring and planning missions, as required and decided by the Portfolio Manager. Task 2: Preparation of project documentation • Prepare and send half-yearly progress report templates to Executing Agencies, hold meetings with the Project Management Unit (PMUs), send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion; • Prepare and send GEF Project Implementation Report (PIR) and GCF Annual Progress Report (APR) templates to Executing Agencies, hold meetings with these agencies and send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion; • Prepare a Mid-Term Review (MTR) recommendations implementation plan to facilitate Executing Agency implementation of MTR recommendations; • Respond to GEF review comments for projects under development and revise project documents accordingly, with support from consultants. Detailed guidance notes per project summarizing project status and tasks to be undertaken will guide the work of the consultant. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: sustainable development, international development, environmental sciences, development studies or a related field is required; A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Minimum five years of experience in managing projects related to climate change adaptation, livelihoods, environment, or development is required; Experience in working with national governments in Africa is required; Experience working with GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund or UNEP projects is an asset. LanguagesFor this consultancy, fluency (both oral and written) in English and French is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.